Page 13 - 1918 Hartridge

TEMPORA ET MORES
literature
I T E R A T U R E ” is interpreted differently by different peo­ ple. To the pupil it re\])resents, in a great many cases, a
mountain of books to be staggered through before a certain date, tins to be followed by searching queries concerning characters and plots. To the teacher—we suppose merely—it means the subject
taught, the subject sbe enjoys and which she hopes and endeavors to make her class enjoy.
From the viewpoint of the pupil, literature is often the labor of defunct authors in whom the student takes no particular interest, but whose lives must be reduced to a matter of dates and facts. It is a matter of so many periods a week, of so much work to be done at home, of so much “outside reading.” ^Vith this viewpoint, literature remains work, and never \])resents the aspect of \])lay. Presupposing that a certain amount of work is not onlv excellent but necessarv for mental growth, it seems a pity that a subject so rich in play material is not play, which is equally necessary.
The “studv” of literature is a kev to the hearts of nations, to the lives of men, to the thoughts of the world. It is a treasure box filled to overflowing. It is a \])ower waiting to be used, a servant to a good
master, a lamj) to the Aladdin.
Eiterature is all that is good and able to live, in writing. Instead
of making it a chance acquaintance merely, let us take it into our hearts as a friend. A better you cannot find—a friend who speaks when bidden, and is understandingly silent until you wish to commune
again.
Enter into the spirit of tlie game; remember that literature is
\])lay. And as in play, strive for the best, be honest, be fair. Con­ demn no author because he is old, ignore none because of his youth; forget the elass-i’oom walls and wander at will. I^et fancy roam and
imagination be free. Learn to be an ex\])ert diamond-\])icker, choos­ ing diamonds from the earth, and, unlike the diamond-\])icker, kee\])ing the jewels you find for yourself. No one can take them from
you. no one can claim them. They are as free to him as to you. The whole world mav have them, if it will.
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